A broken-hearted widow died of an overdose just hours after her husband of 63 years lost his battle with cancer, an inquest has heard.

Peggy Allcroft, 84, had lived together with the love of her life, John, for more than half a century.

On December 11 last year, John died after a battle with lymphoma which he was diagnosed with a month before his death.

The court heard how on the day of his death, Peggy had written in her diary: "Richard [their son] had called for me at 11.30 to say we had to go to the hospital.

"When we got there John was dead, I love John, how will I live without him?'"

After John's death Richard and her other children, Julia and Robert, gathered together and stayed with their grieving mother.

At the inquest at Hatfield Coroner's court in Hertfordshire, Richard Allcroft told the coroner in a statement: "On December 11 I received a phone call from my sister to say that father's breathing was erratic.

"When father died, she seemed fine about it, we had been prepared for it."

John and Peggy Allcroft on their wedding day St Etheldreda's Church in Hatfield, on March 22, 1954 (Image: SWNS)

He believed that Mrs Allcroft intended to take her own life but was not satisfied that it was suicide due to the lack of a note or other evidence.

"The medical evidence indicates that Peggy had undergone quite serious surgery a number of years ago which was very successful and she was living independently with her husband.

"The circumstances in which she was found, there is no doubt she died of an overdose.

"I have to reach a conclusion as to the death and I am not satisfied that Peggy committed suicide.

"I realise how upsetting it would have been to lose her husband. There is no suicide note, there is no indication she wanted to take her own life.

"I am going to conclude that Peggy took her own life but I am not satisfied there was intention to die so suddenly."

The couple in their younger days (Image: SWNS)

They had a joint funeral earlier this year (Image: SWNS)

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Peggy, who was a retired secretary, had been suffering with depression and anxiety for a number of years to help with her symptoms.

Her GP, Karen Kleinburg, said that she had expressed feeling better with her medication and never expressed any thoughts of overdose.

John and Peggy Allcroft had a joint funeral on January 11 at the same church they had married in, St Etheldreda's Church in Hatfield, Herts.

Samaritans (116 123) operates a 24-hour service available every day of the year. If you prefer to write down how you’re feeling, or if you’re worried about being overheard on the phone, you can email Samaritans at jo@samaritans.org .